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By Mustafa Khalifa.
Ghat, 1 January 2016:
A much slimmed-down one-day version of the annual Ghat international tourism festival has taken place despite . . .[restrict]the absence of any tourists in the town. This year’s festival, dedicated to peace and Libyan unity, had to cater entirely to local residents and nearly did not happen because of no government funding and the political situation. However, local organisations and activists were determined to that the show should go on.
“The festival has had to be modest given the humanitarian and logistical problems faced by Ghat ??as a result of the problems in the Ubari area, ” the head of the festival organising committee, Ahmed Hima, told the Libya Herald. He was referring to the fact that Obari, on the main road from Ghat to Sebha, has been subject to continuing clashes between Tuaregs and Tebus.
The lack of government funding also almost stopped it happening, but local artists and others gave their time and talents for free.
“It has had to be for just one day, and was the smallest we’ve ever done but we hope that in future we can rebuild and improve it.”
The event, Hima said, including music from the Ghat area, including songs about the desert and featuring in particular a group called Tinarion, as well as art exhibitions by local Tuareg groups. [/restrict]
